Rubaga Mass for Besigye Blocked Winnie Byanyima Says Museveni Cancelled Church Appeal

Описание: A planned special Mass at Rubaga Cathedral intended to pray for the release of detained
opposition figure Kizza Besigye and other alleged political prisoners was reportedly called off
following a directive from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, according to Winnie
Byanyima.
Byanyima says the development was communicated to her by Archbishop Paul Ssemwogerere,
who had been approached to lead the prayer service at the historic Catholic seat.
The proposed Mass was meant to serve as a spiritual and humanitarian moment — a gathering
for prayer, reflection, and a call for compassion for those in detention over political reasons.
However, Byanyima revealed that the Church was unable to proceed after what she described as
intervention from the highest political office in the land.
Her remarks, delivered with deep emotion, framed the cancelled Mass as more than a religious
event — but as a symbol of shrinking space for dialogue, reconciliation, and hope.
The Catholic Church has long played a moral and mediation role in Uganda’s socio-political
landscape, often providing a neutral ground for national reflection during times of tension.
The reported cancellation of the Rubaga Mass places the Church at the centre of a sensitive
intersection between faith and state authority — raising fresh questions about:
 Freedom of worship in politically sensitive contexts
 The role of religious institutions in national reconciliation
 The humanitarian dimension of political detentions
Speaking as both a global public figure and a wife, Byanyima’s message carried a deeply
personal tone. She called for compassion, dialogue, and justice — not only for Dr. Besigye but
for all those she described as political prisoners.
Her public outcry is likely to resonate across Uganda’s political divide and draw international
attention, given her prominent global standing.

Dr. Besigye’s continued detention remains one of the most polarising political issues in Uganda.
The blocking of a prayer gathering in his support elevates the matter from a legal and political
contest to a moral and spiritual debate.
For supporters, the cancelled Mass represents a missed opportunity for national healing.
For the state, the issue is likely to remain framed within the boundaries of law, order, and
security.

As the echoes of the cancelled Rubaga prayers linger, many Ugandans are left wondering
whether the path to reconciliation will be found through politics, the courts — or the pulpit.